SaintsPhil Posted September 14, 2012 Author Share Posted September 14, 2012 (edited) Not much to update as RM lost my parcel from Hannants so I'm still without the bits to start the front end! So carrying on with rear Here I made a small cock up! I added the top part of the LERX to the to wing section, a good idea, but I decided to fix using superglue, to give the joint strength. I did it from the underside without checking the alignment properly and ended up with a small step between LERX and wing! Bother! The rest went together very easily though with no major gaps! I'll deffinately follow this method again, but I'll use liquid cement to join LERX to wing. I've also started on some other parts, like tanks and nozzles. More progress over weekend I hope Edited September 14, 2012 by SaintsPhil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintsPhil Posted September 20, 2012 Author Share Posted September 20, 2012 (edited) Well the weekend was a bit optimistic for an update but I'll get one in before this weekend at least!! I sorted the step between LERX and wing, black is primer coat, just a touch more filler and some rescribing, got away with that one! Well the bits turned up from Hannants afterall! So I got front end done and sealed up, then added that to the rear end. All the previous alignment worked payed off as its a great fit with no seams! Well I say that...but the fan assembly is miles out of alignment with the front end. Not quite sure how that happened but fortunately I was planning on fitting FOD covers anyway, as most pics show them fitted, just need to take more care on the next one (assuming no FOD covers). Next up a bit of sanding and clean up here and there then on to the smaller bits and subassemblies! One other job I did manage was to sort the canopy seam and that's come out pretty well. Thanks for looking Phil Edited September 20, 2012 by SaintsPhil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChocksAway Posted September 25, 2012 Share Posted September 25, 2012 Phil, coming along nicely, looking forward to the finished item - perhaps in time for display at SMW2012? Keep the tips coming - it'll help with my build next year! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintsPhil Posted September 28, 2012 Author Share Posted September 28, 2012 Thanks Graham, I wouldn't be too hasty to follow my build, maybe for what not to do (see below!). While it might be ready for SMW, unfortunately I'm on holiday over that weekend, terrible planning, but it's a free holiday so can't complain! Anyway back to the harrier, It's all together now But with one major issue I'm not sure how it was so out, but I lined the intakes up with the front fuselage and they don't meet the rear! Part of me thinks I might have put fan in upside down, then again maybe this was just a bad fitting kit! I have a cunning plan though, the Italians use these FOD covers http://www.airplane-pictures.net/images/uploaded-images/2009-6/14/49721.jpg So I think a set of these may be getting made! With that it's off to primer coat. Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChocksAway Posted September 28, 2012 Share Posted September 28, 2012 Phil re the intakes - I've found that it pays not to glue the top part of the A5 "bellmouth" to the fuselage - as sometimes the upper part of the intakes on the fuselage need a minor change in shape (i.e. opening out and up). In fact I try to put as little glue on as possible to start with until I can confirm the intakes sit as best I can and then I add liquid cement later if needs be. Sometimes you may even need to shave the bellmouth to allow this to happen. None of this area is a perfect fit - getting the nose to sit correctly often means it's only just attached to A5 and certainly not pressed on. Fancy missing SMW - tut, tut. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heloman1 Posted September 28, 2012 Share Posted September 28, 2012 Hi, Tasty looking project, then I saw the 34 Pound 50 on the box and I thought gods what next and then I realised it was a Hasegawa kit, so it could have quite easily been 50 Quid! I'll follow this build with interest as a SHAR and Harrier enthusiast. Colin on the Africa Station 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintsPhil Posted September 28, 2012 Author Share Posted September 28, 2012 Phil re the intakes - I've found that it pays not to glue the top part of the A5 "bellmouth" to the fuselage - as sometimes the upper part of the intakes on the fuselage need a minor change in shape (i.e. opening out and up). In fact I try to put as little glue on as possible to start with until I can confirm the intakes sit as best I can and then I add liquid cement later if needs be. Sometimes you may even need to shave the bellmouth to allow this to happen. None of this area is a perfect fit - getting the nose to sit correctly often means it's only just attached to A5 and certainly not pressed on. Fancy missing SMW - tut, tut. Thanks Graham, I'll have to try that next time. This is the danger of following someone else's build blindly! At least I've got a way round it. Most Italian AV8Bs have those covers fitted when parked and they look pretty decent! Second year in a row I've missed it! 3rd time lucky next year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintsPhil Posted September 28, 2012 Author Share Posted September 28, 2012 Hi, Tasty looking project, then I saw the 34 Pound 50 on the box and I thought gods what next and then I realised it was a Hasegawa kit, so it could have quite easily been 50 Quid! I'll follow this build with interest as a SHAR and Harrier enthusiast. Colin on the Africa Station Yeah they're not cheap! Especially for a kit with this many issues! I guess we can't complain that we have a modern kit of second gen harriers, better than the earlier harriers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveJL Posted September 28, 2012 Share Posted September 28, 2012 Looks good mate! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jynski Posted September 29, 2012 Share Posted September 29, 2012 I'm watching this. I too want to build an Italian Harrier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintsPhil Posted October 1, 2012 Author Share Posted October 1, 2012 Thanks for looking in guys! Another quick update: Airframe primed I prefer black primer, especially for grey aircraft, avoids missing bits with top coat! Found a few flaws that need correcting so there's some Mr Disolved putty, the white bits, dotted about. In the background I've been busy with the other bits Gear legs are also painted and glossed, just need a pin wash to finish. IP and coaming need a Matt coat to finish. I got lucky with the launch rails for the AIM120s, I was flicking through my MDF for the SHAR and happened to notice the FRS1 style AIM9 rails had a familiar looking brace between them and the pylons so I dug out my Pavla set and low and behold they look pretty close! The rails themselves are pilfered from and F-15I kit. I was due some luck after fit issues! Next up FOD covers... Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moeggo Posted October 3, 2012 Share Posted October 3, 2012 Looking great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Z Aviator Posted October 3, 2012 Share Posted October 3, 2012 Very nice! I'll keep in mind to use black primer for gray aircraft, a brilliant idea! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintsPhil Posted October 6, 2012 Author Share Posted October 6, 2012 Thanks guys, no photo update, but I'm about ready for first paint! I'm struggling to decide on colours though. Now I know it's 'just' grey but which greys. The Hasegawa instruction quote FS36375 for undersides and FS36320 for topsides, light and dark compass grey respectively. Looking at pics though there doesn't seem to be much difference in the shades top and bottom. This picture particular looks one tone: http://www.airplane-pictures.net/images/uploaded-images/2009-6/14/49721.jpg It also looks like the jet may have had a rough respray, see the nose for example. On the subject of the nose, FS35237 is quoted (Same as all AV8B+) but this is quite a blue grey, the same picture seems to show it as a straight dark grey. Can anyone shed any light on what shades might be used? Thanks Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kagemusha Posted October 6, 2012 Share Posted October 6, 2012 The instructions for the Zotz 1/32 sheet is; FS36320 undersides, FS36231 upper, and FS35237 for the radome. HTH, great thread, especially shedding light on the missile rails, which I hadn't been able to find previously. Pity about the fit of the intakes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintsPhil Posted October 6, 2012 Author Share Posted October 6, 2012 Thanks for that, FS36321 seems closer for the top surfaces, Tamiya XF-54 is a match, which was what I was planning on using before I read the instructions! I think I've rescued the intakes with some covers, just got to see how they look painted... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintsPhil Posted October 7, 2012 Author Share Posted October 7, 2012 Well painted the nose No flash With flash Both don't quite capture the true colour but it's very blue! It just doesn't look right. I'm going to try a different grey, I'm thinking FS36118 (XF-24) with maybe a dash of white. Too dark to spray in garage so job for tomorrow! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChocksAway Posted October 7, 2012 Share Posted October 7, 2012 Phil Have you looked at FS36118 as an option? There seems to be huge variation in the colour - perhaps because it weathers quite quickly. Just go by eye, as some of the variation you see in photos is down to exposure, light temperature, cameras, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Fleming Posted October 8, 2012 Share Posted October 8, 2012 (edited) Looking at pics, there is a change in the AV-8B+ nose colour at some point in the production (Bit like the Sea Harrier FA2). Some have quite a dark radome, others it almost matches the fuselage colour (e.g. 07, 12, 14, 19). Edited October 8, 2012 by Dave Fleming Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Fleming Posted October 8, 2012 Share Posted October 8, 2012 The instructions for the Zotz 1/32 sheet is; FS36320 undersides, FS36231 upper, and FS35237 for the radome. HTH, great thread, especially shedding light on the missile rails, which I hadn't been able to find previously. Pity about the fit of the intakes. That's what was quoted from IPMS Italy at the time of introduction. hasegawa's AV-8B colours have always been a bit suspect Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotthldr Posted October 8, 2012 Share Posted October 8, 2012 (edited) The Italian AV-8B+ are painted exactly the same as the Spanish ones which is FS36231 Dark Gull Grey, upper FS36329 Compass Grey, lower Radome can be either FS36321 or FS36237 Grey- Blue, although as is the same with the F16 radome these tend to darken with time due to the material they are constructed from, so go with your references and Mk I eyeball. Edited October 8, 2012 by scotthldr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintsPhil Posted October 8, 2012 Author Share Posted October 8, 2012 Thanks gents for the input. I'm going to go with FS36118 for radome as in all the pictures I've seen it's deffinately not as blue it's come out on the model. For the undersides I'm inclined to go with FS36320 as the pictures show that when fitted with AIM120 and AIM9 the visible parts of the undersides match closely to the missile body colour. The top surfaces seem to have less of a blue hue to them so I'm inclined to go FS36231 with some liberal fading. I'm also thinking they've had more than a few touch ups in service, as the pics show overspray on the radome in a few cases. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChocksAway Posted October 8, 2012 Share Posted October 8, 2012 You pays your money and you takes your choice .... Series Espanolas decal sheet says for Spanish Navy aircraft... Upper = Dark Gull Grey FS36231 Lower = US Compass Grey FS36320 Radome = "Grayish Blue" FS35237 or US Compass Grey FS36320 (depends on aircraft serial number chosen) Model Friends decal sheet says for Italian Navy aircraft ... Upper = Dark Gull Grey FS36231 Lower = US Compass Grey FS36320 Radome = not specified, but shown as taking the upper surface colour Tauro decal sheet says for Italian Navy aircraft ... Upper = Dark Gull Grey FS36231 Lower = US Compass Grey FS36320 Radome = not specified, but shown as taking the upper surface colour Luigino Caliaro's book "GLI Harrier Della Marina Italiana", which documents, in Italian, the story of the Harrier in Italian Navy service, may have the colours specified in the text (my Italian language skills are limited), but the model build in the back uses the same scheme as the Tauro decals and the following paints: Gunze H317, H307 and H53 respectively). Regarding the radome, a fellow Harrier SIG member replied to my enquiry on colours with ... "Ah one of my favourite subjects. Radome colour. Here's the answer to open or close all debates. Paint it whatever colour it looks like! It starts out supposedly the same colour or very close to whatever the main colour of the surrounding airframe area is suppose to be. The problem is that the radome manufacturers never seem to get it 'dead on' so there is a slight tonal difference there. Add that it weathers differently because it is made of glass fibre and composite (or whatever). The biggest issue is that if you've ever noticed, radomes are not smooth, they have a bit of texture to them. That texture collects dirt, grime, bugs, birds, ground crew dirty hand prints, little kids grimy fingers from air shows, etc." A quick look at photos supports this, and they rarely stay pristine for very long. Hope that helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Fleming Posted October 8, 2012 Share Posted October 8, 2012 The Italian AV-8B+ are painted exactly the same as the Spanish ones which is FS36321 Dark Gull Grey, upper FS36329 Compass Grey, lower The colours I have for the Spanish B+ (and TAV-8B and later Bs) are FS36231 upper FS 36320 lowers, same as I quoted above for the Italian aircraft (Source - Series Espanolas decals plus references from US). The early Spanish AV-8Bs were FS 36375 lowers FS 36320 uppers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintsPhil Posted October 8, 2012 Author Share Posted October 8, 2012 Thanks very much again guys, valuable info. Who knew 'boring grey' jets could cause such an issue with colours!! Hopefully I'll get round to re doing the radome tonight, light allowing. I'll stick some pics up when I'm done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now